Zoo Photography Super Telephoto

[bigrobo89]

Hi,

I'm heading up to our local zoo next wednesday (my sister is doing a work placement there, and my mum wants to go up for the day) so I thought I'd use this as an excuse to have a play with a super-telephoto, namely either the 300mm F2.8 IS or the 400mm F2.8 IS.

Obviously I'm not planning on spending the best part of £10k on a lens, our local Calumet store has them for rent for a reasonable price.

My question really is, would the weight of these lenses be prohibitive for handheld? I have access to a carbon fibre tripod or monopod, but if I could get away with it I'd prefer to hand hold.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these monsters?

Thanks,

Paul

[RichardTaylor]

I shoot a lot of motor sport (8 hour shoots with short breaks) with the 100-400 (mostly with a mono pod, except for panning) and the guys who are shooting with the fast 300 & 400's are always using mono pods, except for one Nikon shooter who uses a 300 F2.8 (and it is heavy).

I would go with a mono pod.

[zona5101]

yup monopod. probably biggest plus is it gives you a break holding it waiting for an animal to turn it's head or give you eye contact... and it increases your opportunity for crisp sharp pics at marginal shutter speeds.